By Andrew Pearson

At her funeral on Friday, Kristie Powell was described as a "rainbow-haired princess".Credit:Facebook

Inside a Bulli chapel, an image of Kristie Powell sat atop her coffin. So, too, did a picture of her much-loved, five-month-old son, Slater.

The faces stared back at a large crowd who gathered before them.

Friends and family farewelled the mother of one at a service in Bulli on Friday.Credit:Adam McLean

It was a tearful farewell for the family and friends of 39-year-old Kristie, whose body was found inside her Bellambi home last week. It was also a time of hope for the young boy she’s left behind.

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Little Slater was Kristie's greatest achievement, those who attended her funeral on Friday were told.

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“She was beyond being in love with him, she was besotted with him,” her eulogy, delivered by family friend Jacqueline Dee, said.

“From the moment Slater was born, she devoted her life to him and she excelled at motherhood.”

To her family, Kristie was kind, loyal, opinionated and extremely generous – a woman who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it, or her last dollar.

It was that generosity her brother, Ryan, wanted her to be remembered for the most. “When she had Slater and she had to provide for him she was still giving … she was leaving herself just enough to buy formula, or just enough to buy nappies and she was still finding enough to give to other people,” he said.

The 39-year-old was found dead in her Bellambi home last week.

Ryan described himself and Kristie as “chalk and cheese”. “We were so, so different,” he said. “She loved reading … I’m still only just learning. She loved writing ... I can’t spell.”

Kristie was “always late”, he said, but would be sure to let everyone know when she did arrive.

“That’s why I went third speaker [at the funeral service], so I could wait for her to get here. I was always on time,” he joked.

In an address also delivered by family friends, Kristie’s other brother Clayton told how he would miss her “infectious smile” and “absolutely terrible” laugh.

“I’ve been through a lot of good times with Kristie, but from the moment the doctor put that baby [Slater] in Kristie's arms, she was complete,” she said.

Pallbearers taking away the coffin of Kristie Powell. Relatives said she was kind, loyal, opinionated and generous.Credit:Adam McLean

“Kristie has been my rock through an extremely eventful life; she’s been the one who’s held my handbag, wiped away my tears, listened to all my dramas that were ongoing, and she was always there to tell me everything’s going to be OK.

“Today, I say goodbye to my crazy elephant. May you fly high with the angels my rainbow-haired princess.”

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Then, as the words of Ben Harper’s song Diamonds on the Inside reminded those gathered of her giving nature, pictures of Kristie's life flashed across a screen.

It was a moment of reflection for those paying their respects. The more-uplifting Daft Punk hit One More Time followed, as more pictures conveyed Kristie's passion for travel and life.

The slide show ended with an image of a bubbly Kristie, her vibrant rainbow-coloured hair captured in all its brightness, blowing kisses to those who gathered to say goodbye.

The man accused of murdering Kristie was refused bail in Maitland Local on Tuesday. The case returns to Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday.